The Portland daily press., 1887-10-08
THE AMERICAN BOARD.
An Investigation of the Prudential
Committee Refused.

SPRINGFIELD, Oct. THE final session of
the 18th annual meeting of the American
Board was held this forenoon and was
largely attended. Rev. George f. Pentecost
offered the opening prayer. Rev. DIR. A. H.
Plumb offered resolution for the appoint
ment of special committee Of seven to in
vestgate the methods and principles of the
Prudential Committee. This was debated at
length and with much earnestness by Prof.
Egbert c. Smyth Of Andover, Rev. DIR. r. G.
Hutchins of Ohio, Rev. DIR. K. p. Parker Of
Hartford, Rev. DIR. Dwinell of California,
Rev. DIR. Toddof New Haven, and DR.. No
BILE of Chicago. On motion of DR.. Noble the
resolution was laid ON the table.
DR.. Plumb in his remarks said that the
Board had always courted investigation, and
he wanted a committee to turn on the light
and show the truth in opposition to news
paper misrepresentation. III there was any
thing the matter with him he was willing to
step down ana out. He alluded to Prof.
Smyth as diSturber of the unanimity of
the Prudential Committee, and referred to
his mastery generalship. Dr. Plumb's reso-
luton was seconded by ex-President Porter
Of Yale.
Prof. Egbert C. Smyth said that all per-
sonal questions were secondary to him. He
voted ticket last year with his own name
would have voted for DR.. Alden this year If
two policies had not come into collision, COM
prehensiOn and exclusion. All personal
questions are subordinate to that. The great
question is. how the Congregational
churches of this country can carry the gos-
pei to the ends of the earth. The real ques-
tion is one of principles rather than methods
OF administration. DIR. Smyth referred to
the methods used by the majority in the mat
tel, ter OF electing corporate members;
all but one committed to certain prin-
pie of administration. Last year, at Des
Moines, there was free. open discussion
no caucus-and no members pledged to carry
out the dictates of the caucus, Are we to
let this policy go on unmodiied? 1 know of
scores of persons who might be in the mis-
sion field today, working for.the Master, who
are shut out by the action taken here. If
we go on in this way, new members will be
added every year to support one side of a
theological controversy. We are doing
things which are never allowed to be carried
on in the administration OF political party.
Allusion has been made to my gene ralship.
| would follow the Lord Jesus Christ TO
death if need be, but would never submit
to rules so tyrannlcal as those which have
been adopted here. Mr.. Smyth touched up-
on the probation theory and avowed his con-
Germ for the1 fate of the innumerable dead.
and said: s,You are putting this board into
opposition to the whole ocean of humanity.
of which Christ is the head, and your rules
and resolutions will be swept away by the
universal power of Christ's love and diyini-
ty." He thought the investigation proposed
would be fruitless.
Rev. DR.. X. G. Hutchins of Ohio defended
the committee on nominating new corporate
members 1t was within the power Of the
committee to nominate more, and he utterly
disclaimed any attempt to pack the commit
tees or bring them on the platform to vote on
the pending question. II it had been the
purpose to pack the meeting more would have
been nominated and doubtless elected. The
only question with the committee was, could
the nominees serve the board well?
Rev. DIR. Parker OF Hartford welcomed Dr.
Plumb's resolution, and said that he knew he
spoke for the minority In asking for grace to
accept anything that would tend toward
Rev. DR.. Dwinell of California said that
the board stands on the principles adopted
long ago, and for the small minority of / in
100 to claim 20 change me principles of ad-
Rev. Dr. John N: Todd said that there was
NJ question of maladministration, and the
question of principles had already been set
tied by vote of the board.
Rev. Dr. Noble of Chicago said that the
hoard has declared its principles of admins.
tration, re-asserting its old position. This is
understood and published in all the newsna
pers and known in all the churches. The
committee would naturally be divided, II
fairly appointed; two reports would be made
next year. We should have to go all over
the ground again, and it never would be
settled in that way. DIR. Noble moved that
the resolution be laid on the table. and the
motion was carried almost unanimously.
Rev. George M. Boynton of Jamaica Plain
said his name was presented for the office OF
Home Secretary yesterday in his absence
ana entirely without his knowledge or con
sent. He was notified yesterday morning OF
the proposition, and immediately notified the
committee of his positive refusal of the use
of his name, because he would not oppose
| Dr. Alden, who was his very dear friend
| Mr.. Boynton said that If he had had 4 yoIe
yesterday, he should have cast it for his
| friend DR.. Alden, in preference to anybody
| else whomsOever.
Short addresses were made in behalf OF
| the missionaries by Rev. Drs. Edwin K